A nonagenarian's vehicle to expound at nonspecific intervals on his opinions regarding politics-local to international, health care, life,society,and perhaps religion plus periodic vignettes about Plainfield N.J.
In addition to "blowing off",I am enjoying a second career as an amateur public advocate.

Saturday, November 29, 2014

A thoughtful posting that all,be they white, black, yellow?, or purple might read and reflect upon.

NFL
player Benjamin Watson's Ferguson post on Facebook goes viral

Posted: Nov 26, 2014 12:42 PM EST
Updated: Nov 26, 2014 12:42 PM EST

by Nichole Mischke, KHQ Right Now
Reporter

KHQ.COM - Benjamin
Watson who plays for the New Orleans Saints posted the following on his
Facebook page and it has since gone viral:

"At some point while I was playing or preparing to play Monday Night
Football, the news broke about the Ferguson Decision. After trying to figure
out how I felt, I decided to write it down. Here are my thoughts:

I'M ANGRY because the stories of
injustice that have been passed down for generations seem to be continuing
before our very eyes.

I'M FRUSTRATED, because pop culture,
music and movies glorify these types of police citizen altercations and promote
an invincible attitude that continues to get young men killed in real life,
away from safety movie sets and music studios.

I'M FEARFUL because in the back of
my mind I know that although I'm a law abiding citizen I could still be looked
upon as a "threat" to those who don't know me. So I will continue to
have to go the extra mile to earn the benefit of the doubt.

I'M EMBARRASSED because the looting,
violent protests, and law breaking only confirm, and in the minds of many,
validate, the stereotypes and thus the inferior treatment.

I'M SAD, because another young life
was lost from his family, the racial divide has widened, a community is in
shambles, accusations, insensitivity hurt and hatred are boiling over, and we
may never know the truth about what happened that day.

I'M SYMPATHETIC, because I wasn't
there so I don't know exactly what happened. Maybe Darren Wilson acted within
his rights and duty as an officer of the law and killed Michael Brown in self
defense like any of us would in the circumstance. Now he has to fear the
backlash against himself and his loved ones when he was only doing his job.
What a horrible thing to endure. OR maybe he provoked Michael and ignited the
series of events that led to him eventually murdering the young man to prove a
point.

I'M OFFENDED, because of the
insulting comments I've seen that are not only insensitive but dismissive to
the painful experiences of others.

I'M CONFUSED, because I don't know
why it's so hard to obey a policeman. You will not win!!! And I don't know why
some policeman abuse their power. Power is a responsibility, not a weapon to
brandish and lord over the populace.

I'M INTROSPECTIVE, because sometimes
I want to take "our" side without looking at the facts in situations
like these. Sometimes I feel like it's us against them. Sometimes I'm just as
prejudiced as people I point fingers at. And that's not right. How can I look
at white skin and make assumptions but not want assumptions made about me?
That's not right.

I'M HOPELESS, because I've lived
long enough to expect things like this to continue to happen. I'm not surprised
and at some point my little children are going to inherit the weight of being a
minority and all that it entails.

I'M HOPEFUL, because I know that
while we still have race issues in America, we enjoy a much different normal
than those of our parents and grandparents. I see it in my personal
relationships with teammates, friends and mentors. And it's a beautiful thing.

I'M ENCOURAGED, because ultimately
the problem is not a SKIN problem, it is a SIN problem. SIN is the reason we
rebel against authority. SIN is the reason we abuse our authority. SIN is the
reason we are racist, prejudiced and lie to cover for our own. SIN is the
reason we riot, loot and burn. BUT I'M ENCOURAGED because God has provided a
solution for sin through the his son Jesus and with it, a transformed heart and
mind. One that's capable of looking past the outward and seeing what's truly
important in every human being. The cure for the Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin,
Tamir Rice and Eric Garner tragedies is not education or exposure. It's the
Gospel. So, finally, I'M ENCOURAGED because the Gospel gives mankind
hope."

About Me

Over aged, Trying to be "the last angry man".about any and all improprieties of stated interest.For some unknown reason has been listed for years in various editions of "Who's Who"(America, World, Science)
I deny any responsibility for typos, spelling and poor punctuation. Hunt and peck has it faults. Speech transcribing does not seem to be the answer.
Enjoying a second career as a self appointed advocate for the public vz local government excesses.